The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge

2418, Conspiracy and Decision

Admiral Demetrius Zaarin is a good guy in the Imperial Navy. He is very polite and humble to everyone, and has a strong professional level. He has been committed to helping the Imperial Navy improve its equipment and trying every means to narrow the gap with the equipment of the Kingdom of Dawn.

Under his leadership, the Shina Fleet System developed TIE improved fighters and bombers. Compared with the much-criticized TIE/LN light fighters, the TIE improved fighters have truly achieved combat performance far exceeding the previous V-wing Alpha Light fighters.

Even many Inquisitors and Dark Jedi Knights will use TIE improved models as their own equipment.

This also makes the fighters equipped by the Imperial Navy no longer a joke. Because before this, many performance parameters of the TIE/LN fighters were not even as good as the V-wing Alpha Light, the last generation of the main model of the Galactic Republic, which made many people laugh at the Imperial Navy for forcing the TIE fighters to replace the V-wing fighters just for the sake of cheapness.

Moreover, Demetrius Zaarin was usually very modest. He often said that he was just a technician in charge of technology in the rear and should not enjoy the same status as the front-line officers. After all, the real heroes were the ones who fought with their heads twisted on the front line. Therefore, Admiral Zaarin usually did not wear the white general uniform of the Imperial Admiral, but the gray uniform of ordinary naval officers.

Such a person, Thrawn was naturally full of goodwill. He nodded and said to Zaarin: "If you need anything, just ask."

"Ah, that's right. After Mr. Orman Tag formed the Advanced Technology Alliance, he invested a huge amount of resources in technology research. In addition to those top-secret projects, I also have a super fighter plan here. I call this plan-Defender Plan. So, I hope Ms. Arden-Lin can cooperate with me to conduct some tests, which will take about a month." Admiral Zaarin said.

Thrawn frowned. In his heart, he didn't want Arden-Lin to leave. Because before, although the Tribunal sent six people to come and successfully carried out the decapitation operation and killed Admiral Mal-Tuk of the Kingdom of Dawn and sank the Infinity-class supercarrier Neimoidia, the second sister left here and returned to the center of the empire.

If Arden-Lin left now, there would be no powerful Force-sensitive people around him. This is very fatal under certain circumstances.

However, Arden-Lin also saw Thrawn's hesitation, and she said: "Before I left, Admiral Zarin had already mentioned this to me. And I also have other tasks to do, so I can't stay here for a long time. However, I will leave Barris-Ophi, Jing Fang and Hora behind, they are enough to protect your safety... As for Tok, he is not suitable for the mission here, I will take him away."

Thrawn did not force him to stay, he nodded and agreed.

Arden-Lin took Tok and set off quickly, leaving Thrawn's fleet on the spaceship arranged by Admiral Zarin to pick her up. After leaving the signal coverage area of ​​Thrawn's fleet, Admiral Zarin accessed the communication through the encrypted frequency band.

[This victory is enough to elevate your position in the jury. Congratulations, Lord Arden-Lin.] In the communication, Admiral Zaarin's tone was full of majesty, completely different from the humble appearance before!

"Admiral Thrawn is a very good general. If you want to make a difference, you must win him over." Arden-Lin said.

[To be honest, I am not optimistic about his development prospects in the Imperial Navy. But don't worry, I can see his potential. Under my rule, he will have a bigger stage to play. ] Admiral Zaarin showed a sinister smile.

"Talking about "rule" now? You are really anxious, Admiral Zaarin." Arden-Lin smiled coldly, "From our goal, just this victory is far from enough."

[Don't worry, there is a chance. ] Admiral Zaarin said, [Now I have a close relationship with Orman-Tag, and he is constantly showing his value to Palpatine. Palpatine will continue to reuse him, and I, as a military representative, will also have a corresponding status. 】

He said Palpatine at this moment, his tone full of contempt. He looked at the date and continued: [In September of this year, Palpatine will hold a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Empire. During this celebration, he will appoint twelve admirals, and I will be one of them. This also means a reshuffle of the Imperial Navy's sphere of influence. At that time, it will be our best opportunity... I will let a fleet appear on the planet Coruscant in due time. 】

"Very good. As long as you can get the reinforcements, then the rest of the things... leave it to me." Arden-Lin finally showed a satisfied smile, "Tell me, this time you asked me to go back, what do you want to find me for?"

[Ha, there is indeed something that needs your help. ] Admiral Zarin said, [Vice Admiral Skeeter-Carr, he is the deputy inspector of the Imperial Ship Supervision Committee, he may be transferred to the Advanced Technology Alliance in the near future. His research direction is similar to mine, and he also has another super fighter project, so... I don't want to see him become my colleague. 】

"Oh...it seems he is blocking your way." Arden-Lin's expression changed a little, "It doesn't matter, as the eldest sister of the jury, I should also investigate the corruption of some naval officials. Hehehe..."

She sneered, and unlike her usual lazy look, she looked extremely gloomy and even terrifying at this moment!

…

In the northern battlefield, Severance Tann's fleet was still advancing slowly. She divided her forces into two groups. The main fleet slowly advanced from the planet Oud Mantel and was close to the planet Genassa. Getting closer to the planet Palin-Minor.

In the northern part of the planet Palin-Minor, the branch fleet she sent has begun to cruise around, cutting off the transportation channel in the northern part of the planet.

At this time, what is the majestic King of the North Dunn-Wessex doing?

He had long been frightened by Severance Tann's illustrious reputation. After hearing that Tann was leading a state-of-the-art Titan warship that was preparing to directly threaten his hometown, he went straight into the underground command center. I dare not take a step out. He didn't even dare to send a squadron to drive away the small fleet in the north!

In Dunn Wessex's mind, no matter what kind of fleet it is, as long as it confronts Severance Tann, it will only die!

But that damn Thrawn also took away his greatest support, the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer! From Dunn-Wessex's point of view, this was as disgusting as if his wife had been borrowed! Ah, yes, that super Star Destroyer was really named after his wife.

In fact, if he had not considered that the North was his base and could not give up, Dunn-Wessex would have fled back to the center of the empire!

Now he is sending at least two hundred communications every day to ask Admiral Thrawn to withdraw his troops as soon as possible and return reinforcements. When he is tired of fighting, he will let his subordinates continue to fight. In short, it is a non-stop communication bombing.

In fear, he even ignored a basic fact - with the destruction of the Eighth Army of the Galactic Empire and the fall of the planet Oud-Mantel, the northern battlefield of the Galactic Empire was actually destroyed in the direction of the Bilbulin planet on the west side. A small piece was cut off. In other words, there is no direct channel link between the Bilbulin planet and the northern core planet Palin Minor.

Therefore, if you want to communicate between two places, you must go back around the core circle of the Milky Way, which will be a huge waste of time. The small fleet is okay, but if the main fleet has to carry out such large-scale maneuvers when the enemy is present, then it would be a bit too contemptuous of Severance Tann.

Therefore, Thrawn unsurprisingly ignored all of Dunn-Wessex's withdrawal orders. He knew very clearly that although the traffic between the Birbrin planet and the Palin-Minor planet was cut off by the Oud-Mantel planet, the Birbrin planet, as a fortress planet, had enough power to protect itself, as long as it could By guarding the Birbrin planet, you will have greater strategic space.

On the contrary, if the Bilbrin planet is thrown away, then only the Palin-Minor planet will be left alone to resist the Dawn Kingdom's offensive, and it will definitely be defeated!

Admiral Thrawn was very careful to keep his main fleet at a distance from Severance Tann's fleet. He did not get too close, nor did he leave the other side alone. This is a method he often uses. He believes that only continuous monitoring can ensure that all movements of the enemy fleet are under his control.

On March 11, the planet Kinasa was captured by Severance Tann. Tann continued his march and began to attack the planet Ithor! It's only one step away from the planet Palin-Minor!

Dunne-Wessex was almost going crazy! Thrawn didn't listen to his orders at all. Now the Kingdom of Dawn's fleet has arrived at his doorstep, but his fleet is still following behind without any intention of stopping the opponent!

This is betrayal! This is murder! !

Dunn-Wessex directly reported that Admiral Thrawn was removed from all military positions! And he reported Thrawn's disobedience to military orders to the Imperial Military and demanded that Thrawn be sent to a military court!

No, this is not enough, he wants to send Thrawn to the referee panel!

However, surprisingly, this matter was suppressed by Emperor Palpatine himself! Palpatine issued an order requiring Dunne-Wessex to respect the tactical decisions of the frontline commanders and to be prepared to provide all support.

And in order to appease Dunn-Wessex, Palpatine also dispatched 3 Commander II-class dreadnoughts and 40 Imperial II-class Star Destroyers to the planet Palin-Minor for reinforcements.

Check out the 16-9 book bar to see the correct version!

For Palpatine, it was enough to beat Dunn Wessex to keep him from thinking otherwise. If the beating is carried out too much and causes the collapse of the northern core planet Palin-Minor, then this problem will be really big.

Although they did not get a new Executor-class super Star Destroyer, they finally got three Commander II-class dreadnoughts and 40 of the Empire's most advanced Imperial II-class Star Destroyers. Dunn-Wessex finally got a little Feeling a little more at ease. But at this moment, in his heart, he deeply marked Admiral Thrawn and Palpatine!

This shame will definitely be repaid twice as much in the future!

…

Since Dunn-Wessex withdrew almost all of its peripheral fleet forces, the planet Isol did not hold out for long under Severance Tann's force. Three days later, on March 14, the planet Isol surrendered!

At the same time, Admiral Thrawn also led the fleet to park near the planet Ord-Mantle, but did not launch an offensive. He was waiting and watching, wanting to see what Severance Tann was planning.

At present, Severance Tann's forces used to attack the planet Isol have been clarified, including 250 capital ships and 2,400 small and medium-sized warships. She left about a quarter of the fleet stationed on the planet Mechitor and Ord-Mantel respectively. However, Thrawn believed that the fleet remaining on the planet Ord-Mantel was impossible to resist head-on. It was very likely that Will retrace.

But if it is such a force... Thrawn thought. With the current strength of Severance Tann alone, it is simply impossible to threaten the planet Palin Minor! According to his calculations, to capture the planet Palin-Minor, at least a force equivalent to 500 to 800 Imperial-class Star Destroyers would be needed!

"So, your goal is still me... Severance Tann." Thrawn sat in his office and said to himself calmly, "But what I'm curious about is how you plan to force him to What about my deployment? Political factors? It does make me uncomfortable, but that’s all. I will not stay in the North after this battle is over... Of course, I will also work for the North before I leave. Eliminate all threats."

He sneered, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the armrest of the seat, and then an unpredictable smile appeared on his face.

"Oh... strike later... well, that's right." Thrawn said calmly, "The textbooks at the Chiss Naval Academy cover a very wide range, but all the combat examples and analyzes seem to have one word - strike later. And Now, I am also taking a proactive stance, so...are you planning to do the opposite?"

"Hehehehe..." He chuckled, "Then I'll do the opposite."

He stood up and said to his adjutant Rael Benting: "Command the fleet to set sail immediately to attack the planet Oude Mantel and cut off Severance Tann's retreat!!"

"yes!"

The huge fleet set off immediately and headed towards the former important town in the north - the planet Oud-Mantle!

As expected, the fleet left here by Severance Tann made no resistance at all and immediately retreated to the rear. So without even a shot being fired, the planet Ord-Mantell, once the capital of the Eighth Army of the Galactic Empire, was recaptured by Thrawn.

However, Thrawn did not stop. He actually commanded the fleet to move towards the planet Kinasa! Along the previous Severance-Tan route!

His troops are at a disadvantage, but he plans to take the initiative to attack?